Eva Maria Wiesenthal, an Icon of Change from Austria

Icons of Change International Awards 2026 International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development Eva Maria Wiesenthal SDG Focus Sustainable Development Goal 3 – Good Health and Well-Being Changemaker for Holistic Healing, Mind–Body Education, and Peace-Centered Wellbeing (Austria) Eva Maria Wiesenthal is a lifelong educator, philosopher-artist, and holistic healing practitioner whose work advances human wellbeing through integration of mind, body, and consciousness. With more than five decades of service across education, health, and cultural leadership, her contribution reflects a systems-level approach to SDG 3 Good Health and Well-Being, positioning inner balance as a prerequisite for resilient societies. At the core of Eva Maria’s impact is her pioneering work in Tai Chi Chuan, deep relaxation, and therapeutic voice-guided healing, which she has practiced and taught for over 25 years across schools, fitness institutions, medical practices, and private settings throughout Austria. Her methods emphasize breathwork, embodied awareness, and deep relaxation to release physical and emotional tension, activate self-healing capacities, and restore internal equilibrium. This work directly supports preventive health, mental resilience, and recovery from stress-related conditions—key pillars of sustainable healthcare systems. Her approach to healing is both experiential and educational. Through empathetic guidance and structured relaxation practices, Eva Maria enables individuals to reconnect with their innate capacity for health, clarity, and agency. By developing self-trust and emotional regulation, her work contributes to long-term wellbeing rather than short-term intervention—an outcome fully aligned with the preventive and holistic ambitions of SDG 3. Eva Maria’s influence extends into institutional education. For more than three decades, she served as a Professor at a Vienna Gymnasium, teaching philosophy, psychology, classical languages, Tai Chi Chuan, and integrative wellbeing practices. Her pedagogy combined intellectual rigor with inner development, guiding students to access their potential through reflection, embodiment, and emotional awareness. Many continue to credit her with shaping not only their education, but their sense of self and purpose. Beyond individual practice, Eva Maria has consistently advanced wellbeing as a social and civic value. As President of !WOW! World of Wisdom, Wonders and Wealth, she led a multidisciplinary platform dedicated to holistic health, creativity, and global peace. The initiative promotes non-adversarial dialogue, cross-cultural philosophy, and cooperation between the Global North and South—reinforcing the connection between personal healing and collective harmony. Her long-standing role as a “Ambassador of Love as a political and healing force” reflects a distinctive leadership philosophy that sustainable peace, health, and cooperation begin with inner coherence and compassionate engagement. By bridging Eastern and Western traditions, intellect and empathy, and education and healing, Eva Maria Wiesenthal advances a model of wellbeing that is deeply human, scalable, and future-oriented. Through decades of service as an educator, healer, and cultural leader, Eva Maria Wiesenthal demonstrates how sustained commitment to holistic health strengthens individuals, communities, and institutions alike. Her work affirms that advancing Good Health and Well-Being is not only a medical imperative, but a cultural one—anchored in awareness, balance, and shared humanity. For her lifetime contribution to holistic wellbeing, education, and peace-centered leadership, Eva Maria Wiesenthal is rightfully recognized as an Icon of Change 2026. #IconsOfChange #IconsOfChange2026 #InternationalAwards #GlobalChangemakers #SDG3 #GoodHealthAndWellBeing #HolisticHealth #MentalWellbeing #PreventiveHealthcare #MindBodyHealing #TaiChiChuan #DeepRelaxation #SelfHealing #WellnessLeadership #PeaceThroughWellbeing #WomenChangemakers #CulturalLeadership #Austria #GlobalWellbeing #HealingThroughEducation